Housing affordability is expected to be top of mind for every political party in the lead up to this month’s federal election. With Parliamentary hopefuls knocking on doors in all of Canada’s 338 ridings, the coming weeks will offer the REALTOR® community a unique opportunity to put homeownership up for discussion and get candidates from all sides of the political spectrum talking about solutions to the challenges facing home buyers in their communities.
When these candidates show up on doorsteps seeking support at the ballot box, it is up to REALTORS® across the country to drive home the importance of standing up for policies that benefit homeowners and those striving to achieve that dream. This initial engagement is the first step toward influencing government decisions that will take place once the votes have been tallied and the seating chart in the House of Commons has been drawn up. This is where the groundwork is laid to affect decisions that will impact your clients and your business over the next four years.
Getting engaged by standing up for the interests of your clients in this election can be done in numerous ways, and every small act goes a long way toward bringing focus to our issues in the political discourse. Here are some of the ways REALTORS® can contribute:
- Visit crea.ca/REALideas, where you can learn more about the REALTOR® recommendations and what parties have committed to in their platforms.
- Take to social media and spread the word about housing affordability via the social shareables available on crea.ca/REALideas.
- Ask candidates about our issues when they come knocking on your door, or when you see them at local transit hubs and community events. If you already know a local candidate, make sure you discuss our issues and share the REALTOR® recommendations with them.
- Participate in all-candidates events—a strong presence can convey the vast reach of the REALTOR® network to future Parliamentarians.
While all parties readily acknowledge the value of homeownership, the upcoming election presents a brief window of opportunity to drive that message home with the candidates that will make up the next Government of Canada.
